The Top 10 Unforgettable ‘Streets Won’t Forget’ Football Legends

Some football players have a unique and unnatural style to their play, leaving fans stunned when watching them. The football community has created a cult name for these players, known as “the streets won’t forget.” This piece will review the top eight players who have picked up this notorious name.

10. Jay-Jay Okocha

The Streets Won’t Forget won’t forget  Alex Iwobi’s uncle Jay-Jay Okacha. Jay-Jay was so good, they named him twice.

Jay-Jay Okocha’s spell at Bolton Wanderers from 2002 to 2006 is remembered as one of the most iconic periods in the club’s history. Recruited by then-manager Sam Allardyce, Okocha, known for his exceptional skill, flair, and creativity, was the pulse of a team that took on and often bested the giants of the English Premier League.

Allardyce granted him a free role in his side, and Okocha was at liberty to express his artistry on the field without fear of repercussion. He quickly became an indispensable part of the squad, guiding them to a historic sixth-place finish in the 2004–05 season, securing qualification for the UEFA Cup for the first time in the club’s history.

His departure in 2006 marked the end of an era for Bolton. The tenure of Jay-Jay Okocha at the club serves as a strong reminder of a time when the Nigerian baller’s electrifying performances were what made the Trotters’ games memorable.

9. Andrei Arshavin

Arshavin was a weird guy. He had a blog, he took the Euros by storm, and he scored 4 goals against Liverpool. The Streets Won’t Forget him.

Arshavin will always be remembered as an enigma in football. He lit up the pitch with fleeting moments of brilliance and ultimately unfulfilled potential. From mesmerising defences at Euro 2008 to his unforgettable four-goal haul for Arsenal against Liverpool, his two-footed skills, vision, and audacious ball control kept fans on the edge of their seats.

Despite struggling to consistently perform at the top level of English football, Arshavin was a tekky baller who should have probably done more with his ability. Although his tenure at Arsenal ultimately didn’t match expectations, he did score 4 against Liverpool. And for that, the streets will never forget him.

8. Ricardo Quaresma

The streets will never forget Ricardo Quaresma. A Portuguese international with high levels of flair is all that fans need to be excited when watching a football match. Quaresma’s effect on football will last an age, with the trivela shot being named after him to honour his legacy. The wingers’ special goal against Iran in the 2018 FIFA World Cup epitomises the player to a tee. Fast-paced footwork to link up with his teammates and then an outside-of-the-foot finesse from the right edge of the box nestling in the top left-hand corner. These are the goals that the streets live for.

7. Hulk

Hulk by name and Hulk by nature. Brazilian powerhouse. A left foot shot that could rip nets in its prime. The streets won’t forget when Hulk was racially abused during a match in Russia for Zenit Saint Petersburg, then instantly silenced the crowd by thundering the ball into the top corner.

6. Radja Nainggolan

Take a look at Radja Nainggolan; you will already know that the streets will never forget this player. The Belgian central midfielder was a professional in long shots. Whenever Radja picked up the ball outside the box, fans would be on their feet—scary looking, scary playing. The Streets Won’t Forget that shocking haircut anytime soon.

5. Guillermo Ochoa

Come of the World Cup, come of Ochoa. Time and time again, Ochoa has saved Mexico in World Cups with his cat-like athletic abilities. The goalkeeper made his name during the 2014 Brazil FIFA World Cup. Having played his fifth world cup in Qatar, the 38-year-old has played his last. Ochoa was known most notably for his expertise in saving penalties. Robert Lewandowski was one of his latest victims in the most recent World Cup.

4. Luis Nani

No introduction is needed for Nani. Some said he was in Rooney and Ronaldo’s shadow; however, Nani allowed the clock to tick. Excruciating pace down the wing with intense levels of skill. The streets won’t forget Nani’s somersault celebration. Nani’s unpredictability was what made him a joy to watch.

3. Yannick Bolasie

Crystal Palace has had its fair share of flair wingers. None of them come close to Yannick Bolasie. When a player has a skill named after him, you know the streets won’t forget the man. The Congolese winger struck fear into full-backs. The streets won’t forget Bolasie’s floor swipe, when he squared up to a player with the ball, then proceeded to swipe his hand across the ball, and then took the ball past the player. Bolasie was one of a kind, and that is why the streets will never forget him.

2. Hatem Ben Arfa

They don’t make them like Ben Arfa anymore. The Frenchman could do it all, whether it be a solo run with trickery or a long shot into the top corner. His extreme pace was compatible with his divine skills, both of which left defenders in a state of hypnosis. Watching Ben Arfa in the Premier League was a breath of fresh air. He was the French Messi, with a twist. The Streets Won’t Forget Ben Arfa, even if he is still somehow without a club.

1. The Streets Won’t Forget Dimitri Payet

This list would not be complete without Dimitri Payet. The attacking midfielder joined West Ham in 2015 for a fee of £10.7 million. He tore up the Premier League from there on. Set pieces were his forte, most notably his free kick against Crystal Palace on the last day of the season. On the left side of the edge of the box, Payet steps up and hits it with incomprehensible levels of topspin and dip, seeing the ball float into the top right corner.

Payet still haunts me personally. In 2016, I was at Old Trafford for Manchester United’s FA Cup tie against West Ham. During the warm-up, Payet was practicing free kicks, missing every single one. Not long after this in the game, in the 68th minute, the Frenchman steps up and nestles the free kick into the bottom left-hand corner.

The most unbelievable goal I have ever seen live.

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